Taskforce formed to check milk adulteration

Amid concerns about the quality of packaged and non-packaged milk available in the market, the authorities of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) yesterday formed a taskforce to check adulteration of milk.

The seven-member team will collect samples from different dairy farms and test those at BAU laboratory, said Prof Dr Md Harun-or-Rashid, head of dairy science department.

It will examine standard of milk and milk products through research and publish the findings, said Dr Harun, also chairman of the taskforce.

The taskforce was formed upon directive of Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Lutful Hassan, said its member secretary Dr Mohammad Ashiqul Islam of dairy science.

The other members are: Prof Md Nurul Islam of dairy science; Prof MAM Yahia Khandoker, director of BAU research unit; Prof SM Lutful Kabir of microbiology and hygiene department; Prof Razia Sultana of agricultural chemistry; and Prof Kazi Rafiqul Islam of pharmacology.

Various antibiotics and lead being found in pasteurised and non-pasteurised milk have dominated news headlines over the last couple of weeks.